Learn. Certify. Succeed.

GetThatCert

CompTIA A+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Security+
Exam TIPS
News
Resources

CompTIA A+ (220-1101) Study Guide & Cheat Sheet

COMPTIA A+ TIPS

Cyber Wizard

person writing on brown wooden table near white ceramic mug
person writing on brown wooden table near white ceramic mug

This study guide and cheat sheet for the CompTIA A+ (220-1101) exam provides a structured overview of key topics including mobile devices, networking, hardware, cloud computing, and troubleshooting. Use this resource to prepare effectively and quickly reference critical exam concepts.

DOWNLOAD CORE 1 Objectives

Core 1 Exam Domains & Weightage

  1. Mobile Devices – 15%

  2. Networking – 20%

  3. Hardware – 25%

  4. Virtualization & Cloud Computing – 11%

  5. Hardware & Network Troubleshooting – 29%

1. Mobile Devices (15%)

Laptop & Mobile Components

  • Laptop hardware is often proprietary and difficult to upgrade.

  • Common laptop components:

    • SODIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module) for RAM

    • SSD (Solid State Drive) for storage

    • Lithium-ion batteries (careful with overcharging & heat)

    • DC Jack for charging

    • Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules

Mobile Device Accessories & Features

  • Touchscreens & digitizers (convert touch to digital input)

  • NFC (Near Field Communication) for contactless payments

  • Hotspot & Tethering (sharing internet from mobile devices)

  • Docking stations & port replicators (expand connectivity for laptops)

Mobile OS Features

  • iOS vs. Android

  • App installation (App Store vs. APK sideloading)

  • Updates & patches (Security & performance improvements)

2. Networking (20%)

Networking Protocols

Networking Devices

  • Router (connects networks, assigns IP addresses)

  • Switch (connects devices within a network, MAC address-based)

  • Access Point (AP) (provides Wi-Fi connectivity)

  • Modem (converts ISP signals for internet access)

Cable Types & Speeds

3. Hardware (25%)

Motherboards & CPUs

  • Chipset types: Northbridge (RAM/CPU), Southbridge (I/O)

  • Form factors: ATX, MicroATX, Mini-ITX

  • CPU architectures: 32-bit vs. 64-bit

Storage Devices

  • SSD (Solid State Drive) – Faster, no moving parts

  • HDD (Hard Disk Drive) – Traditional spinning disks

  • NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) – Ultra-fast SSD standard

  • RAID Configurations: RAID 0 (striping), RAID 1 (mirroring), RAID 5 (striping + parity)

Power Supplies

  • Wattage considerations (calculating power needs for GPUs, CPUs)

  • Types of power connectors: ATX, SATA power, PCIe

Peripherals & Connectors

  • USB standards: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB-C

  • Display connectors: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA

  • Input devices: Keyboard, mouse, stylus

4. Virtualization & Cloud Computing (11%)

Virtualization Basics

  • Types: Type 1 (bare-metal), Type 2 (hosted)

  • Hypervisors: VMware, Hyper-V, VirtualBox

Cloud Services & Models

  • IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) – Virtual servers, storage

  • PaaS (Platform as a Service) – Development platforms (Azure, AWS Lambda)

  • SaaS (Software as a Service) – Web-based applications (Google Docs, Office 365)

5. Hardware & Network Troubleshooting (29%)

Common Hardware Issues

  • POST (Power-On Self-Test) errors (beep codes, BIOS error messages)

  • No power issues (check PSU, connections, fuses)

  • Overheating (dust buildup, thermal paste, cooling fans)

Network Troubleshooting Steps

  1. Check physical connections (cables, ports)

  2. Verify IP configuration (ipconfig /all, ifconfig)

  3. Test connectivity (ping, tracert, nslookup)

  4. Check for interference (Wi-Fi issues) (other networks, obstructions)

Related Tips